Rural Generalist Anaesthesia training program

Rural generalist practitioners with training in anaesthesia play vital roles in providing life-saving services to patients in many rural and remote communities across Australia.

Launched in 2023, the Rural Generalist Anaesthesia Training Program is a joint initiative of ANZCA, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) to deliver the education, training, and assessment of rural general practitioners and rural generalists providing anaesthesia services in rural locations.

The 12-month training program is available to rural generalist registrars and fellows seeking formal training and certification in anaesthesia. 

Training program structure and content

The following documents outline the course content and structure of the training program.

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Rural Generalist Anaesthesia Training Program Curriculum PDF
Rural Generalist Anaesthesia Handbook for Training PDF
Regulation 44 PDF
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Joining the training program.

To register for rural generalist anaesthesia training, applicants must:

  • Be registered trainees with RACGP and/or ACRRM and have completed at least one year of their primary fellowship training OR have fellowship with RACGP or ACRRM; and
  • Have obtained a position approved for rural generalist anaesthesia training; and
  • Have completed an accredited Advanced Life Support 2 (ALS-2) course within 52 calendar weeks prior to commencing rural generalist anaesthesia training.


If you are a current trainee of ACRRM and / or RACGP, your primary college will send your registration information and documentation directly to ANZCA. You will receive confirmation once you are successfully registered in the RGA training program.

If you are a FACRRM and / or FRACGP, please use the button below to register for training.

Register now


Selection process

ANZCA does not appoint trainees to accredited RGA training positions . If you are interested in undertaking the Rural Generalist Anaesthesia Training Program, please contact your primary college (ACRRM or RACGP) for advice on available training positions and application processes.
 

Recognition of prior learning and experience (RPLE)

Recognition of prior learning and experience (RPLE) is a process to acknowledge previously completed anaesthesia training that is comparable and relevant to RGA training and the required competencies. This may then be used to gain credit towards the requirements of RGA training.
 
To be eligible for RPLE, you must:

  • Be a fellow or trainee of RACGP or ACRRM and registered for RGA training
  • Have completed training in a recognised anaesthesia training department and been part of a recognised anaesthesia training program
  • Have performed at anaesthesia registrar/principal house officer or above level
  • Be comparable with RGA training and the competency outcomes

For anaesthesia training more than 3 years old, applications must be supported by evidence including recent logbooks, upskilling courses / experience, and continuing professional development (CPD).

If you meet the above criteria, use the button below to apply.

Apply for RPLE

More information regarding RPLE can be found in section 1.6 of the Rural Generalist Anaesthesia Handbook for Training.

Rural generalist anaesthesia exams

Rural Generalist Anaethesia trainees must successfully complete the multiple choice question examination (MCQs) and the RGA Standardised Structured Scenario-based Assessment (RGA-SSSA) during training.

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Rural generalist anaesthesia training sites

Training time towards Rural Generalist Anaesthesia training must be completed at an accredited site.

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Rural Generalist Anaesthesia trainee toolkit

Fees, forms, and resources related to the RGA training program

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Rural generalist anaesthesia (RGA) library guide

This guide contains resources tailored to support trainees participating in the RGA course. Includes clinical fundamentals, specialised study units, assessment, rural & remote practice, and other resources including apps, podcasts and videos.

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Grandparenting for award of the RGA

The grandparenting process is aimed at the current practicing rural GP anaesthesia workforce. Its purpose is to allow this workforce to easily transition to the new qualification

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CPD requirements for Rural Generalist Anaesthetists (RGAs)

In May 2023, the TC-RGA agreed that Rural Generalist Anaesthetists (RGAs) would be recommended to undertake the Continuing Professional Developement (CPD) program-level requirements identified in the ANZCA and FPM CPD standard.

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Frequently asked questions about the RGA training program

Frequently asked questions about the Rural Generalist Anaesthesia training program

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Last updated 10:24 15.01.2024